dente. Reserve ½ cup of the pasta water, then drain and set aside.
Step 2: Sear the Steak Bites
Pat the steak pieces dry with paper towels—this helps them brown beautifully. Season with salt, pepper, and smoked paprika. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the steak cubes in a single layer (work in batches to avoid crowding). Sear for 1–2 minutes per side until browned and caramelized on the outside but still juicy inside. Remove the steak from the pan and set aside.
